AUDIO: First Listen - Cheick Hamala Diabate's 'Prudence' Remix EP

Cheick Hamala Diabate gets mixed-up, reworked, and reinterpreted by some of the finest producers and purveyors of groove on the planet: NYCTrust * The Whiskey Barons * Daytoner * Jon Kennedy-who give their own unique spins to a Cheick Hamala Diabate original-'Prudence'-with the the addition of DC's Sol Power All-Stars remix of another original 'Fatou Kounkoun Sissoko.' Click below for a first listen!

Destined to become a world-class burner-'Prudence' highlights an ancient-to-the-future aspect of Cheick Hamala's breadth as a genre-bending experimental artist who has one foot firmly planted in tradition and roots but also a keen focused eye on the limitless possibilities of cross-cultural exchange via global collaboration with artists outside of his legacy as a griot.

Cheick Hamala Diabate is a musician and a historian in the West African griot tradition from the Republic of Mali. Born into a griot family in Kita, Mali, he absorbed 800 years of Malian history and from a young age he learned to play the ngoni-a stringed instrument related to the American banjo-for which he is recognized as a world master. Now based in the cultural crossroads of Washington DC, where he teaches and represents West African culture, Cheick Hamala continually pushes beyond the boundaries of tradition-collaborating and experimenting with multigenerational musicians, producers and incorporating electronic technology into his music. He's hobnobbed with American string and Blues legends-from Bela Fleck to Corey Harris and is not afraid of running his ngoni or American banjo through a wah-wah peddle with some delay effects. His music embraces the panoply of sound he discovered in America, taking him into sonic realms beyond borders.

Tour Dates:

April 26, 2013 @ Tropicalia - Washington, DC [Record Release Party] [LINK]

May 02, 2013 @ Desire on Burgundy - New Orleans, LA

May 03, 2013 @ Old US Mint - New Orleans, LA

May 04, 2013 @ Hi Ho Lounge - New Orleans, LA

May 05, 2013 @ Gasa Gasa - New Orleans, LA

May 10, 2013 @ National Museum of African Art - Washington, DC

Aug. 10 2013 @ Town Center Stage - Reston, VA

*Afropop Worldwide exclusive premiere and download: http://www.afropop.org/wp/6750/afropop-premier-fatou-kounkoun-sissoko-sol-power-all-star-remix/